Why don't they just allow voting on some of the major issues.

That would be cheaper, less endless meetings, and more precise public involvement with real public debate (if the media would just help a little).

Hi Jack;
The key groupings of words "peer group meetings of public involvement professionals" What the heck does that mean? The phrasing has so many contradictions within it that it's not believable or truthful. I could go on and on to point out the fallicies of this jargon. It's pure politic-speak b.s.

I bet those peer group meetings are held in Sunriver.

Maybe if METRO had a clue about what we actually want (reasonable taxes, good schools, safe roads), they wouldn't need to spend so much time selling us on BS they want to spend time on.

If the public doesn't like their policies, broader outreach won't bring public trust.
This may be a reaction to polls and people's discontent with Metro.

peer group meetings of public involvement professionals

TRANSLATION: This is the equivalent to a dog reaching back and licking his own...

I think they should just skip the pretense and redirect the money for this into building a literal echo chamber capable of accomodating all staff and Metro officials at once.

My 6th grade English teacher would say, "Please come up to the blackboard and diagram your sentence that begins, 'Focusing on...'".

Let's see. Metro built, owns, and operates the money-sink known as the Oregon Convention Center, They also operate Oregon Zoo, also a money-loser. Combined, they lost some $16 million last year. The solution? Hold more meetings.

Here's how they look at things, taking zoo as example: they claim to hire only experienced, trained, animal care professionals, of which they have approximately 32. To "manage" these trained, experienced, animal care professionals, they have six Senior or "lead" staff plus five "Curators" - a total of eleven managers for 32 trained, experienced professionals.

State guidelines call for one manager for every eleven line staff. Metro pays over one million dollars per year to "manage" 32 trained professionals.

Despite this extensive outlay, it's my understanding that inquiries have begun toward bringing a class action lawsuit against Metro for age discrimination, as they appear to have been systematically eliminating staff in their zoo's Living Collection division who happen to be older than 45. Several within the agency have stated that conversations along this line are underway.

"the new multi-track process includes peer group meetings of public involvement professionals"

Another way of putting it: round up the usual subjects.

"an annual public stakeholder summit and the establishment of a new standing public committee called the Public Engagement Review Committee"

And when that committee is involved with transportation projects, the usual subjects do not include the primary stakeholders because the only financial contributing stakeholders are the motorists who pay gas taxes, and they are routinely left out of the official public process with no specific representation on such committees.

Another way of putting it: round up the usual subjects.

They have a way of knowing which people will comply and if they do allow an
"objector" to the plans, you can be sure that person will be greatly outnumbered.
.....or they will have the peer group of professionals outline the plans and direction and then invite others to participate once the plans are "fairly nailed down."

Or as my grandfather used to say, "Don't buy that lady, that's horse sh*t!".
Unfortunately "we" own it already. Too bad the taxpayers can't just eliminate Metro all together.